The LNU Complex Fire, which includes multiple fires burning in Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties, grew rapidly Wednesday night, prompting extensive evacuations across wine country and even forcing some wineries to stop mid-harvest operations.
The fires have burned a total of 103,000 acres and are zero percent contained, Cal Fire reports.
In Sonoma County, fires are threatening the Sonoma Coast, Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley American Viticultural Areas (AVA). Evacuations have occurred as some producers, including global sparkling wine producer Korbel Champagne Cellars, begin their harvesting activities.
Korbel, which is located east of Guerneville, was ordered to evacuate Tuesday night just as the crew was picking grapes, the Press Democrat reported. Korbel had expected the grape harvest to be completed by Labor Day weekend. Instead, farm workers left the vineyards, and the winery, like many in the area, was closed due to the Walbridge fire.
Jenner’s Fort Ross Vineyard and Winery, another major producer in the evacuation zone, posted on Facebook Wednesday night that they are safe. “Our vineyard and tasting room made it through the night,” she wrote. “We are very grateful to all the firefighters who work tirelessly to keep our community safe. Special thanks to the Fort Ross Volunteer Fire Department and their coordination with Cal-Fire. ”
In a statement posted on Facebook, Sonoma County Winegrowers said: “Our thoughts are with our dry farmers in Dry Creek Valley and West County who are dealing with evacuations and fire hazards right at the beginning of the harvest season. Please know that we are here to help you in every possible way. ”
An evacuation warning has also been issued for the entire city of Healdsburg.
In Napa County, where the Hennessey Fire continues to take root and cause damage to outbuildings belonging to Nichelini Family Winery, a new evacuation board at 7:30 p.m. covered the entire communities of Angwin and Deer Park and the east side of Highway 29 from the Lake County line to the Silverado Trail as the east side of the Silverado Trail from Highway 29 to Highway 128.
The nearby Kulenta Estate and Kenzo Estate fall within the mandatory evacuation zone but remain unaffected at present.
In a series of messages on Twitter yesterday, Napa Valley Vintners said the fire has deepened the valley so far, but endangered some of the award-winning mountain wine farms in the east. “Unfortunately, the fire moving east is not good for our neighbors in Solano County, Vacaville specifically,” it said. “Many people working in Napa live in the Vacaville / Solano area and our concern now is about their safety.”
Windland fires are also raging in parts of Mendocino, Monterey and Santa Cruz, where the CZU complex fire is threatening a cluster of winemakers in the San Lorenzo Valley, Bonny Doon and Woodside / Skyline AVAs.
